The COMP Magazine A Revitalised C2E2 in 2022? Review & Photographs

C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo)
McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois
August 5 – 7, 2022
https://www.c2e2.com

Was C2E2 revitalised in 2022? Since inception in 2010, C2E2 has grown to be the premier comics and entertainment expo in Chicago (perhaps, in the Midwest). The initial iteration host 27,000 fans, grew to nearly 100,000 by 2020. I recall visiting the event just before lockdown. Many in attendance caught the Covid and went into hibernation for nearly 2 years. In conversation, cartoonist, Mike Norton, indicated this was his first con in two years. Last December, C2E2 did a restart to little fanfare. The attendance had plummeted. There was nothing of note to recall This weekend, there was a sense of regenerated fervour for this comics-based event, but with a clear evolution in identity occurring.

Horror & B Movie culture remain omnipresent, C2E2, Chicago, Illinois, 2022

Having documented the event for nearly a decade. One of the fascinations is tracking the attendees and interest. This year’s audience was highly diverse. With the rise of anime and manga over the past 20 years, the audience reflected the change in consumed content. This shift could also be seen in Artist’s Alley. With the number of well known triple-A creators relatively thin, there was an introduction of locals working in illustration centred on manga aesthetics. This felt fresh. Like other annual activities, to stay relevant there’s need to evolve. Unlike the past, where DC or Marvel to centerstage, this year’s premiere entities were brought to us by two mangas (One Piece and Bleach). Each has evolved into culture and media juggernauts with global influence.

K-Pop is a new mainstream staple, C2E2, Chicago, Illinois, 2022

In 1997 Weekly Shōnen Jump began publishing Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. In 1999 Toei Animation premiered Once Piece on Fuji TV. There have been theatrical films, light novels, music, and video games based off of this property. Similarly, Bleach, followed a similar path in terms of publish and expanding itself in a variety of media. The original manga consists of 74 volumes that ran from 2001 to 2016. Simply put, these are not minor IPs, they are what many of today’s youth has gravitated to and clearly identify with. There’s no doubt that asian culture icons have influence in the west.

Wrestling & Spider-Man performed remarkable well, C2E2, Chicago, Illinois, 2022

Wondering the expansive floors of McCormack Place dressed in frequently unflattering attire is the norm. Here, a short step, one encounters the Amazing Spider-Man, Monkey D. Luffy, Nier Automata’s 2B and 9S, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, Tigger, and hordes of undead. Though sometimes one may wince at some uncensored displays, there’s more often than not a need to give ‘props’ to some of the truly creative efforts. There’s been an entire industry created around this phenomena. At C2E2 there were booths and panels, on technical approaches to cosplay, etiquette, and new trends. For me, the top prize this year should go to a 50-something gent who created a marvelous outfit inspired by Adventure Time’s Mr. Cupcake. A smile was quickly located when we crossed paths.

Cruella de Vil and King Cupcake,C2E2, Chicago, Illinois, 2022

There are areas that are in need of further improvement. The panels this year felt by-in-large more pedestrian. The Ryan Browne talk about his current book with Charles Soule, 8 Billion Genies, and the sharing of his hands-on approach to building a career in comics felt informative. Another, Fight! 30 Years of Mortal Kombat reminded me why I still play (poorly) the fighting game today. Yes, my @ss is often handed to me with a quickness. My recommendation is to spend more time curating the 2023 iteration. We want more talks with depth. These need to be promoted prior to the event. This will help attendance by bring back past audience.

Plushies and homemade cosplay, C2E2, Chicago, Illinois, 2022

Another area that would be an improvement is to focus on the recycling of materials. I have no specific data on the waste, but believe there are means to cycle these ephemeral events into a more “green” friendly experience. Riding my bike from the South Loop to McCormack place was a fine way to call closure to summer. And, yes, C2E2 felt a bit rejuvenated. This was clearly found. For now, I trust you will enjoy some images from this years event: